PHILADELPHIA, April 4, 2017 — The finishing touches are being put on the new Museum of the American Revolution prior to its grand opening on April 19! On April 1, two large-scale (20’ x 40’) bronze sculptural panels will be installed in the Museum’s outdoor plaza along Chestnut Street. The sculptures, which weigh in at 1500lbs. each, depict iconic paintings from the American Revolution.

The art installations were designed by artist Ellen Qiong Schicktanz, who donated them to the Museum. A recent U.S. citizen who was born in China, Schicktanz began this project to better understand the history of the United States. She was inspired by the ideals, principles, and sacrifices of the founders and sought to create works to honor them. Working with Schicktanz, a team of 8-10 sculptors created the two sculptural panels.

“The sculptural panels carry the Museum’s purpose to the exterior of the building, and will engage passers-by in the defining moments of the Revolution – how it required both the power of the pen and the power of the sword to achieve victory and establish the American nation,” said Michael Quinn, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution. “It is especially meaningful that they are a gift to the Museum – and to the public – from a new, naturalized citizen of the American nation.”

The first sculpture is located in the William and Lauran Buck Revolution Courtyard and features Emanuel Leutze’s “Washington Crossing the Delaware.” The nighttime crossing of the Delaware River was the turning point of the Revolution, when Washington’s army, despite months of demoralizing defeat, found the courage to launch a nearly impossible raid that galvanized the entire nation.

The second sculpture is located in the Marjorie and Lewis Katz Liberty Courtyard and features John Trumbull’s “The Declaration of Independence.” The original painting is displayed in the U.S. Capitol in Washington. The foreground figures are life-size, drawing pedestrians into the iconic depiction of the presentation of the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress by the drafting committee, which included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.

The Museum’s outdoor plaza also includes generous seating, a display of Revolutionary-era cannons, and an engraving of powerful words from the Declaration of Independence. Dramatically lit at night, the plaza is accessible at all times for use by visitors and passersby. The plaza was designed by Philadelphia’s OLIN landscape architects, working with Museum’s architect, Robert A.M. Stern Architects.

About the Museum of the American RevolutionThe Museum of the American Revolution, opening in the heart of historic Philadelphia on April 19, 2017, explores the dynamic story of the American Revolution using its rich collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, letters, diaries, and works of art. Immersive galleries, theater experiences, and recreated historical environments bring to life the events, people, and ideals of our nation’s founding and engage people in the history and continuing relevance of the American Revolution. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, Carpenters’ Hall, and Franklin Court, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.